Symphonic instrument



A. FUSCHI 2,452,743

Nov. 2, 1948.

SYMPHON I 0 INS T RUMENT 6 Sheets-Sheet 1 Fild Dec. 14, 1942 I NV EN TOR. ANTON/0 FUSE/1L ATTOENEK NOV. 2, 1948. A, Fusc SYMPHONIC INSTRUMENT 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Dec. 14, 1942 INVENTOR. ANTON/0 uscm.

ATTOKNEY 6 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR. ANTON/O FUSCHl.

AT'rom/EY A. FUSCHI SYMPHONIC INSTRUMENT MOZHL.

wppnnggh utjm O SUU Nov. 2, 1948.

Filed Dec.

Nov. 2, 1948. A. FUSCHI 2,452,743

SYMPHONIC INSTRUMENT Filed Dec. 14, 1942 s Sheets-Sheet .4

Z 0 a 7 M 0 m 9 L H R Y j H 8 I 0 C E a 9 I N U R F 0 O 3 w a w I A j m1. 7 N *VVMWHI 4 m a 7 k o N 9 7 0 A 2 7 J g 14-. L g" .151?! Nov. 2, 1948. A. FUSCHI 2,452,743

SYHPHONIC INSTRUMENT Filed m. 14, 1942 s Sheets-Sheet s Nov. 2, 1948.

Filed Dec. 14, 1942 IO l' I A. FUSCHI SYMPHONIC INSTRUMENT 6 sheets-sheet 6 INVENTOR. AN TON/0 FUSCH/ ATTORNEY Fatented Nov. 2, 1948 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE SYMPHONIC INSTRUMENT Antonio Fuschi, New York, N. Y. Application December 14, 1942, Serial No. 469,023

4 Claims.

This invention relates generally to musical instruments and more particularly to the kind in which musical tones or notes are produced in an amplifier-loudspeaker unit by the action of light upon a light sensitive cell, through the intermediary of a translucent instrumentality having photographically recorded thereon the sound waves to be reproduced.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a keyboard instrument which through manipulation of its keys will reproduce with fidelity and accuracy and in any desired sequence simple and complex sounds corresponding to sound waves photogra-phically recorded on a transluscent memher, the latter member being interposed between a light source and a light sensitive cell, the sounds being produced through a sound transforming and amplifying unit.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide an instrument of the aforesaid character wherein a combination of intelligent sounds may be efficiently produced by manual operation of the keys of the keyboard.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a keyboard instrument which will produce sound eliects identical with those of any instrument, combination of instruments, vocal or combination of vocal utterances, or any combination of vocal utterances and instruments.

It is a still further object of the present invention to provide a keyboard instrument which will so faithfully reproduce sounds recorded on a transluscent member, that even a trained ear may not distinguish the same from the original sounds which were recorded; and by which the sequence in which these sounds are produced may be varied at the will of the operator of the keys.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a musical keyboard instrument by and through which the operator thereof who may be a mediocre or ordinary player may obtain the tonal quality and value of a perfect instrument in the hands or" a skilled musician, and of combining the tones originall produced by the musician to produce any known composition by manipulation of the keys of the keyboard.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a musical keyboard instrument employing a transluscent sound track having recorded or reproduced thereon in separate bands respectively notes of the chromatic scale produced by the skilled originating performer, and which notes by manipulation of the keys a person, less skilled, may reproduce, and in sequence of any musical composition.

It is yet another object of this invention to provide an instrumentality wherein the switch from single instrument, single voice, orchestration or other multiple, sound effects may be accomplished with a minimum loss of time and Without the interruption of the sound effects during such change.

It is a still further object of the invention to provide a musical instrument of the above kind which may be easily manipulated and which contains a minimum of parts, thereby considerably rcdu cing the possibility of break downs.

Still further objects of this invention are to provide novel light sensitive cell means and to interpose a novel shutter system between the light source and the light sensitive cell for shutting oh the sound tracks not desired.

Another object is to provide means whereby a single relatively small photo electric tube may be employed and influenced through the manipulation of any of the eighty-eight keys of an organ or piano keyboard.

nother object of the present invention resides in method and means to provide a master record from which economical copies may be made by which the original notes or tones may be reproduced through a keyboard instrument of the aforementioned character, such provision being accomplished by recording on. film the chromatic scale as rendered by vocalist or instrument player or both simultaneously, cutting from the negative film, small or bands each of which carries a note of the chromatic scale. securing these strips or bands upon a transparent plate in chromatic scale order, thus forming a sound or tone track, and printing copies from this Thus, each band of the track constitutes a single note of the chromatic scale arranged in predetermined sequence, embodies the true tonal quality and individuality of the artists and of the instrument played, so that any person capable of operating the keyboard instrument may reproduce the some in any desired sequence or" musical composition.

A further object is to provide a fiat rigid plate containing a plurality of tracks, each track made up of bands each havin a photographic record of a chromatic scale note of simple or complex quality or tone and the bands arranged in predetermined sequence or chromatic scale order.

Yet another object is to provide a photographic sound record for a keyboard instrument of the aforementioned type, which is very inexpensive, which occupies relatively small space, having the advantage of reducing the instrument to a short length; which is easily removable for replacement purposes, and which is capable of providing a great number of changes through the keyboard of the instrument, and method for producing the same.

A further object is to provide in an instrument of the aforementioned type, a photographic sound record upon which the sound bands are so arranged as to avoid cuts in the sound waves between adjacent bands and to thereby avoid any possible clicks which might otherwise be due as a result thereof.

This invention accordingly consists in the features of construction, combination of parts and in the unique relations of the members and in the relative proportioning and disposition thereof; all as more completely outlined herein.

To enable others skilled in the art so fully to comprehend the underlying features thereof that they may embody the same by the numerous modifications in structure and relation contemplated by this invention, drawings depicting certain forms of the invention has been annexed as a part of this disclosure, and in such drawings, like characters of reference denote corresponding parts throughout all the views, of which:

Fig. 1 is a diagrammatic view of part of a musical instrument embodying the invention, including rotating intermittent light source;

Fig. 2 is a diagrammatic partial view of a sound track plate employed in the invention;

Fig. 3 is a diagrammatic view of a reciprocating or oscillating light source employable in a modified form of the invention;

Fig. l diagrammatically illustrates a reciprocating or oscillating sound plate employable in a further modified form of the invention;

Fig. 5 is a top plan view of a musical keyboard instrument incorporating the invention;

Fig. 6 is a front elevational view of Figure 5;

Fig. '7 is a top plan view (partly broken away) of a frame employable in the invention for holding sound record plates.

Fig. 8 is a top plan view (partly broken away, of adjacently disposed record plates;

Fig. 9 is a transverse sectional view taken through a light source or lamp and its lightemitting slit employable in the invention, the surface of the lamp being covered with an opaque material, but leaving one or more light-emitting slits or slots;

Fig. 10 is a sectional view taken through line lill of Fig. 11, showing a light source similar to Fig. 9, but utilizing two metal covers, instead of a coating, thus providing means for adjusting the width of the slot;

Fig. 11 is a cross-sectional view taken through line l2l2 of Fig. 10;

Fig. 12 is a partial top plan elevation of a light sensitive electric cell showing the surface gradually intensified from the slotted opening to provide a gradual sound effect rather than the staccato' produced by a light sensitive tube having just a sharply outlined slot;

Fig. 13 is a partial top plan view of the shutter device;

Figs. 14-16 represent modified forms of shutters employable in the invention;

Fig. 17 is a cross-sectional view (partly broken away) taken through the operating mechanism of the musical instrument shown in Fig. 1;

18 is a diagrammatic view (partly broken away) showing a sound controlling means operatable by the keyboard;

Fig. 19 is a front elevational view of the indicating device shown in Fig. 18;

device d8.

within cabinet 36 and by means of drive belt 5i rotatively operates a light source cylinder 52 Fig. 20 is a side elevational view of one of the keys illustrated in Fig. 18;

Fig. 21 is a detail view partly in section showing the sound track shutter in inoperative position;

Fig. 22 is a detail view partly in section showing the sound track shutter in operative posi tion;

Fig. 23 is a diagrammatic View of a sound track cylinder employable instead oi the aforementioned sound track platein a modified form of the invention;

Fig. 24 illustrates partly in section a further modification of the sound producing mechanism, utilizing a continuous or endless film containing therein the sound track; and

Fig. 25 is a still further modification 0f the invention showing the sound track film mounted on spools movable selectively backwards and for wards.

Referring now more particularly to Figs. 5, 6 and 17 of the drawings, there is indicated by the numeral 35, the musical instrument in general and comprising the box or housing 3% and a cover 3?, legs 38, keyboard 39 and pedals 653, all con.- ventional in a grand piano.

The keys ii of keyboard 39 are conventionally mounted as indicated at d2 (Fig. 17), and are provided at their extreme ends with pins 43 threaded into the key extensions 45 by means of threads 44, thus providing for necessary adjustments. Each pin 45 engages with a bellcrank lever 46 to which is attached a flexible cable 41' operating the light valve or shutter An electric motor 513 may be located which may have on its outer surface an opaque coating or covering 54 in which are located a plurality of openings or slits 53. Cylinder 52 is mounted on support 58 fixed to the instrument 35. Support 53 carries a track Gil in which is slidably mounted the sound track frame 58 (Fig. '7). Below support 58 is the stationary light sensitive electric cell 6!. The sound track frame is slidably moved within the track til by means of a toothed rack 52 attached to rod 53 protruding through the front board 64 of housing 35. Rod 63 terminates in a handle or knob 65. Mounted on rod 53 is also an indicator tit working in conjunction with a scale 6? mounted on a bracket 68. The scale El will indicate to the operator. which musical instrument or voice is being played at any particular time. The toothed rack 62 is in engagement with a small pinion 6G mounted on a shaft it, which shaft also carries the larger gear ii in engagement with the teeth 12 (Fig. '7) on the underside of the sound track frame 55. As seen in Figs. 7 and 9 plates 73 each carrying a plurality of sound tracks may be employed and are held within the frame 59 by means of springs M, i5, thus forcing the sound track plates into one corner of frame 59 as indicated by arrow 76. It is understood that any reasonable number of plates i3 may be removably mounted in frame 59 and that the latter may be of any reasonable size.

As clearly shown in Fig. 8, plate 13 is divided into a plurality of sound tracks or sections indicated in the first plate by the numerals ll, l8, i9, 80. These sound tracks or sections carry sound records of certain musical instrumentsor voices.

For example, in the first plate 73, sound tracks 11, 18, 19, 88 represent the tones respectively, of a violin, cello, flute, and harp; in the second plate 13, sound tracks 8|, 82, 83, 84; represent the voice tones, respectively of soprano, tenor, baritone, basso; and the third plate 13, sound tracks 85, 86, 81, 88, represent the tones, respectively, of piano, violin, piano and cello, soprano and tenor, baritone and basso. Each sound track is divided into a plurality of bands 51, each band carrying a photographic sound wave or impression of a note of the chromatic scale and arranged in predetermined sequence. Each sound track is preferably provided with eighty-eight bands, portions or sections to cover the maximum number of notes of a full chromatic scale, such as G, Gt, F, Ft, etc., for piano, and as indicated by numeral 89 in Fig. 8. A more complete explanation will follow hereinbelovv.

Interposed (as before mentioned) between the light source 52 and the sound or tone track frame 59 is the shutter or light valve mechanism 58, a portion of which is enlarged and illustrated in Fig. 13. Each key of the keyboard controls a shutter 94 through a flexible cable 47. Cables 4! are trained over pulleys One end i of cable 41 is secured to the bell-crank -36 (Fig. 17), while the other end of cable :2? is secured to the loop 92 of the rod 93 of shutter As illustrated in Figs. 13, 21, and 22, each shutter 94 rides in a track 95 which is provided with openings 96 located directly between the light source s2 and the light sensitive electric cell t! Normally these shutters 94 are held in closed position by a compression spring 9'! and are operated by the keys 4| through the medium of respective bell-crank levers 45, mounted on a transverse strip 49. The shutters 94 may be provided with an inclined surface or slanting free edge 93 extending substantially from one side thereof to the other, or may be pointed with slanting free edges as indicated at 99 for shutter il -la (Fig. is), or may be provided with a plurality of tongues loll providing a V-shaped opening as shown for shutter 941) (Fig. Each shutter 94 has an extended lug Ill! which may be brought into engagement with the transverse member or strip hi2. Trans- .verse member or strip m2 is swingably mounted by means of a pin N33 to bracket HM- (Fig. 5) to which is also fixed support 58 (Fig. 17);

Transverse member I92 is connected at one end to lever I06 and has at its other end an extension I06 by which it is swingably mounted through pin N33 to bracket Hid (Fig. 5). Trans- Verse member 102 extends sufficiently to engage any of the extended lugs l5! and is operated by the push rod ltd from pedal 4E0. When pedal 480 is pressed downwardly by the player, thus carrying the push rod I05 to press lever lot with the transverse member m2 downwardly as indicated in Fig. 23, all shutters 95, open at that particular instant, will be held in open position by engagement of transverse member i l? with lugs H)! of such open shutters Fi l, as long as pedal lfic is depressed by the player and thus freeing the player's fingers to continue playing other notes of the musical composition. In other words, the shutters open at said particular instant may be maintained so, thereby permitting the rays from the light source passng through the bands of the sound track exposed by the open shutters to remain impinged upon the light sensitive cell, thus causing the notes or tones recorded in said bands to be sustained until the pedal is released.

To avoid, if desired, the sudden release of all shutters when the transverse member I02 is released, a braking or friction device l3! (Fig. 22)

maybe utilized, the latter comprising lever I08 are mounted a plurality of springs H2, each spring engageable with a rod 553. The controllable pressure members or springs i i by manipulation of pedal 48a, will in turn control the speed with which the open shutters t l will return to their normally closed positions, the greater the pressure exerted by pedal lila the less the speed of return of the opened shutters. It can be readily understood that by exerting sufficient pressure upon the opened shutters, the latter ma be completely retarded. The tension of each spring 152 is controllable by individual set screws H3. Springs 55, 56, respectively, urge beams i132, Ill into inoperative position shown in Fig. 21.

It is advisable to control the volume of the sound produced by the instrument through volume controlling means generally indicated by the numeral 525.? (Fig. 19), such as a rheostat H! which is operated by individual springs l2! mounted respectively on the keys ll by securing means H5, the screw H5 being employed for adjusting the tension on spring 52 5. These springs l2l press against a flexible cable L22 fixedly mounted at one end 23 to the instrument while the other end of cable I22 terminates in a spring 12 secured to member H8 mounted through bracket I i9 disposed within the instrument. The tension of spring 524 may be controlled by adjusting means comprising the rotatable element I25 threadedly engaging the threads 29 on the extension of member H8. The cable 322 engages the lever arm i2! at 5213, which arm 82'! controls electrically the volume of the amplifier device [48 by means of shaft :23, the shaft 5'23 being the arm of the rheostat l i l. The principle of this device resides in the fact that if one key 5! of the keyboard is operated, the spring 52? will not exert as great a pressure against the cable 222 as that as if a plurality of keys are operated. Thus, for example, ten keys 45 being played will cause the indicating lever #21 to move further towards the soft position (scale 23%) thus automatically cutting down the volume or the instrument, substantially equivalent to the vclui e of the amplifier or say, that of one or two keys.

The scale 53!? is calibrated such that if every key after the first one is depressed the pointer l2? will move one degree from loud to soft. This scale is an aid in making the adjustments of cable 426. The volume may be independently controlled by pedal 5%, the latter being connected to the amplifier unit M8 by any suitable means for the purpose.

Reference will now be made to Figs. 1, 3, e, 23, 24 and 25, which show modified forms or" light sources. The light source 235 is completely opaque, except for a plurality of slits The electric current for the light source is supplied by a source of electric power 53?, one terminal of when connects with one end of the light source i35, as at 13%, by means of bracket E39, while the other terminal lie of said power source terminates in the bracket Ml, thus contacting with terminal 342 of the light source i235. Power supply 331 also supplies rotor M3, which by means of a set of pulleys and belt M4 rotates the light source 535. At M5 is indicated diagrammatically the sound track frame, while 146 egacy-4e diagrammatically indicates the light sensitive electric cell which is connected by means of conductors M7 to an amplifying unit I 48 having a loudspeaker I69. The shutter device has been omitted from Fig. 1 for clarity. In Fig. 3, the light source I35a does not completely rotate, but is actuated in reciprocal movement, as indicated by the double arrow I58, by the rotor I43a having a crankshaft II. In this case, the light source is mounted in the bracket I52.

In Fig. 4, both the light source I?) and the photo-electric cell M3 are stationary, while the sound track I moves back and forth, as indicated by the double arrow I56.

Fig. 23 illustrates a further modified form of the sound producing mechanism in which the rotating light source I66 is again provided with a plurality of slits IEI, the light passing through a shutter device I92 and through a cylindrical record 63 having a plurality of sound tracks I58, each provided with the bands I59 similar to bands 51 (Fig. 8). The light sensitive electric cell IE4 is mounted Within cylindrical track I63. Record I53 is only rotated for bringing into use the Various tracks as selected for playing. Shutter device I92 comprises eighty-eight shutters as hereinbefore described with relation to the preferred embodiment.

In Fig. 24, the sound track I95 is in the form of an endless film, trained over an upper reel I66 and over a transparent lower reel IB'I. source I69 having the transparent slits I 57 is mounted Within the transparent lower reel I67, the light thus passing through the reel IG'I, film I65, shutter mechanism I69, to the light sensitive cell I IE having the light admitting slot or slit I353.

As shown in Fig. 25, the sound track film I'II may be wound around two spools I'I'Z, I13, from either one of which it may be wound or unwound at will. Guide rolls EM keep the film III in its proper constant relation between the shutter mechanism I75 and the light sensitive cell I16. The intermittent light in this instance, is furnished by the light source Ill having the slits I18. In Figs. 23, 24, 26, the sound record is stationary during operation of the apparatus, and is only moved to place another sound track in operation.

Referring to Fig, 9 the light source I85 is covered with an opaque material I8fi, such as a coating of paint, lacquer, etc., and is provided with one or more light-emitting slits I87, this figure being a transverse section taken through the light source I35 and its slit I87. In the event it is desired to adjust the size of a light-emitting slit, a light source I83 (Figs. 10 and 11) is provided with two close-fitting metal shells I89, which are slidably disposed with relation to each other such that the outer shell I90 and the inner shell I9! form a slit I92 by adjusting the inner slit I93 with the outer slit I94 in desired relation to each other. While in Figs. 9 and 10, only one slit is shown, it is understood that a plurality of slits may be provided in like manner. At I95, the electric contacts for the illumination of the light source are indicated.

In Fig. 12, the light sensitive electric cell I 91 has a transparent portion I98 which gradually becomes darker as indicated at I99, thus gradually changing in light transmitting intensity and thereby effecting a change in the sound transmitted to the electric cell I91 by the sound producing mechanism.

It is to be understood that anysuitable lens or The light 8 prismimay be employed in cooperation with the light'source to increase theintensity of the light to more efiectively act upon :the :sound record and light sensitive cell. This is'well known in the art. Such :a lens is indicated.by the numeral H9 in Fig. 10.

For afurther understanding'nf theinventlon reference is again made to .Figslland '8. .Ifi'or example, a note range scale for six voices,- namely, basso, baritone, contralto, mezzoescprano, tenor and soprano, is taken, the complete'nor-mal note range of the chromatic scale ifortheLsiX voices comprises forty-six notes, including :sha'rps or flats. As is well known, the complete chromatic scale for piano comprises eighty-eight notes.

The plates I3 illustrated in Fig.3 are divided into a plurality of sound or tone tracks 11,1 8,?!9, 88, etc., each track comprising eighty-eight .bands, each band being represented by the numeral 57. Thus each track representsthenumber of bands required for the complete chromaticscale of the eighty-eight piano notes'controlled by the keyboard of the piano. Now, where it is desired to-reproduce the complete chromatic scale of the piano, all eighty-eight bands of a track would be used. Thus, in track there would be photographically recorded the complete chromatic piano scale of eighty-eight notes. :Now, the normal chromatic'scale of, say the violin, is less than eighty-ei ht notes, so that since in sound track 'II, there are eighty-eight bands, the remaining bands may be utilized for recording thereon, those notes of another instrument, such as, piano, which come within a range difierent from that of the notes of the violin. So that, if

for example, the scale of the violin notes recorded in sound track Tl, runs from three notes below middleC upwards thus taking in about fromfiftysix to sixty notes in its chromatic scale, and

therefore, using up only from fifty-six to sixty bands for violin, the remaining bands below middle C in sound track I? may be used to record notes of the piano other than the notes recorded for the violin. This arrangement .has'manyadvantages, for example, the player in reproducing a musical selection or composition containing separate violin and piano notes, may sustain the violin note or notes by depressing the sustaining pedal 48c and continue playing, as an accom paniment piano notes. Again, a'sound track of plate I3 may contain the notes of the complete chromatic scale for piano thus utilizing all of the bands 57 in a track, and some of the bands of the same track may also have recorded thereon violin notes, so that when the player during rendition of a musical selection, presses the keys of the keyboard corresponding to the combined piano-violin note bands, the instrument will emit, at that'moment, combined piano-violin sounds. Likewise, a single band in a sound track may contain the tone or pitch of a combined piano, violin, flute, cello, etc. note or the note pitch of any desired combination of instruments. Similarly, asound track of plate l3 may contain separate instrument and voice notes (a note ineach band); or the same band may contain the note pitch of a combination of instrument or instruments and voice or voices. rther, in the central portion of a sound track oflplate 13, for'example, comprising substantially forty-six bands of the track, each band may represent a separate note of a plurality of instruments and/or voices in chromatic scale order. That is, re-

corded on successive bands (onenote on each band) :may be the middle C note of baritone, the

9 Ct note of tenor, the D note of flute, the D3! note of cello, the E note of violin, the F note of organ, the Ft note of harp, the G note of clarinet, the Gt note of cornet, the A note of mezzo-soprano, the A? note of soprano, the B note of tenor, and so on; so that if a cord of eight notes is played, it will represent variations in tone quality and produce an effective, aesthetic harmony.

Again, twenty-six successive bands of a sound track may'have recorded thereon, respectively, the pronunciations or sounds of the complete alphabetic range, that is, from the letter A to the letter Z, and all in the same pitch, so that an intelligent delivery, such as, a lecture, sermon, speech, etc, may be assembled or organized by manipulation of the keyboard of the instrument. In order to make complete words or expressions, rhythm and time values are to be considered by the manipulator. Th operator or manipulator of the instrument may have before him visual representations of the vowels and consonants and above the vowels and consonants musical notes representing the length of playing time of each vowel and consonant which will give the necessary rhythm to make the words understandable as they are being formed.

Now, if on each of five successive sound tracks there is recorded a vowel of the alphabet in chromatic scale order and all the consonants of the alphabet in one pitch, it is believed that a vocal composition may be rendered by the instrument. To further illustrate on one sound track, the vowel a is recorded in chromatic scale order, a note on each band, and all of the consonants of the alphabet in one pitch is recorded on the same sound track, each consonant letter on a separate band; on the next sound track, the vowel e is recorded in chromatic scale order, a note on each band, and all of the consonants of the alphabet in one pitch is recorded on the said next sound track, each consonant letter on a separate band; and so on, for the remaining vowels. We will now have five sound tracks each track having a vowel recorded in various pitches or sounds and all of the consonants 1n the same pitch. I

To take a more specific example, the chromatic scale of soprano averages from high D to low middle C, containing twenty-nine notes and thus utilizing twenty-nine bands of a sound track for the vowel recorded thereon. The consonants in one pitch will utilize twenty-one bands more on the sound track. The plate upon which these five sound tracks are mounted is shiftable by knob 55 or a suitable arrangement operable by a foot pedal (adjacent pedals 49) may be provided for shifting the plate, to bring the selected sound track under the influence of the light source, shutters, and light sensitive cell. If a song is to be sung in soprano through the manipulation of the keyboard by the player, say Ave Maria the following play .for say, the first word Ave would be made. The key of the keyboard corresponding to the proper note on the track sound, having the chromatic scale of the vowel a, is depressed for such time equivalent to the value of the note (being a quarter value) the key corresponding to the consonant o in the same sound track is depressed for about a one sixtyfourth value giving an accent to the consonant,

the plate being then shifted soon after the v is played and the key corresponding to the prior note on the said track having the chromatic scale of the vowel e is depressed for the time value of the note written by the composer. It is understood that any song may be produced through the vowels, accent being given to the consonants. The vowels being recorded in chromatic scale order, express the melody as well as the words and in combination with the consonants express the accents and the words.

Although recording on the sound bands 5'! in several ways, a very simple means for doing so and which has been found by experiment to be convenient and practical will now be outlined.

The players and vocalists may be assembled in a recording studio supplied with electrical recording apparatus in which film is used for recording. Let it be assumed, that it is desired to record the notes of the chromatic scale of violin. I'he recording apparatus is set in operation thus causing the film to travel. The musician plays on his violin the first note of the chromatic scale holding the same for about one-quarter value of note which is recorded on the moving film. The musician rests for about one-eighth or one-six teenth value of note and then proceeds with playing the second note of the chromatic scale for about one-quarter value of note and then rests for a like period, this being continued until he completes playing the chromatic scale, the film in the meantime moving at a uniform rate. The rest periods or pauses separate on the film the record of the successive notes. The negative when developed, will show fully exposed areas representing those rest periods or pauses, that is, substantially white areas will appear between successive note-recorded areas.

From the sound track or note-recorded area of each note on the negative, a band or strip substantially one-eighth inch or three-sixteenths inch wide and about one-half long is out.

There will be as many of such bands as there are recorded notes. These bands are secured to, preferably a glass plate, in chromatic scale order from lowest note to highest note, and constitutes the negative from which the track Tl of the plate in Fig. 8 is printed. The bands 5'? are the prints of the bands or strips assembled on the said glass plate. The same process is repeated as respects the different instruments for producing each of the other tracks l8, [9, 8i), etc. of the plate in Fig. 8. In the case of vocal recording, the singer holds each note for one-quarter value note with a rest period of about one-eighthor one-sixteenth value note, as in the case of recording of the notes of the instruments.

It is understood that combination notes may be made in the same manner. For example, a chromatic scale of two or more singers singing and or instruments playin simultaneously may be recorded on the same band. Singers may sing the same note but with different vowel sounds, such as for example, a tenor may sing the note high C with the vowel sound of a and simultaneously, a soprano may sing the same note (high 0) with the vowel sound of 6. Thus, it can be seen that a great many variations in quality and harmony may be produced.

The master plate, that is, the plate having se cured thereon the negative strips or bands may comprise a plurality of tracks, each track made up of recorded notes of the chromatic scale in accordance with the procedure hereinabove outlined. Since provision is made in each track for eighty-eight bands, the space, in the trackin which the chromatic scale of a recorded instrument is less than eighty-eight notes, may be utilized for containing the negative record bands or strips representing notes of another instrument or voice. After the desired number of re- .l a cordations have been completed and: the corresponding negative bands or strips have been assembledaandsecured to the glass plate to form the master plate, from this master plate (which is the negative) as many prints as desired may be made. The print is mounted on a suitable transparent plate made of glass, plastic compos'ition, paper or other suitable material; Fig. 9 diagrammatically indicates such prints which are removably received in the holder shown in Fig. 7.

Itcan-bereadiiy understood that reproductions orpositive prints can be made at verylittle cost, making replacements inexpensive. Furthermore, it makes possible'the attainment of plates having various combinations thereon, at relatively small expense.

Referring to the reproduction of the chromatic scale of the piano, which comprises eighty-eight notes, the negative bands or strips having recorded thereon the successive notes of the chromatic scale are; likewise, secured to the glass plate in chromatic scale order from which the track 85 is produced. The keys of the keyboard of-the piano normally representing the notes of the chromatic scale correspondstothe same notes recorded on the bands of track 85, and therefore, controls the selection of the" notes to be played, through the means previously described. 'I hus, piano tone efiects may be obtained without the use of piano strings; with the added effect of fulltone' value, since with a string piano the tone of a note dies down irrespective of how long the key is depressed, whereas, with the instrument made in accordance with this invention, the full tone of the same note may be prolonged as long as the key is maintained in a depressed position.

Although the key may be maintained in depressed position by manual operation, in order to free the finger or fingers of the player for use for other notes while desirin to maintain the full tone of the played note, the means shown in Figa- 21 and 23 are employed for mechanically maintaining the key in depressed position, as hereinh'efore described.

Operation Referring to Fig. 5, which shows a grand. pianolike'instrument. each key of the keyboard has respective relation to a band of a track. through respective flexible cables and the corresponding shutter mechanism.

Assume that a plate in Fig. 8 has been selected which contains the sound track to be played. This plate is positioned in the holder or frame 59' shown in Fig. 7 and the frame positioned in support 58 (Fig. 17-). Let it be further assumed that it is desired to play from track 85 (Fig. 8). that isfor a piano composition. Lever 65 (Fig. 17) is moved until the" indicator 65 points opposite the indication marked piano on the scale 68. This will bring sound track 85 under the revolving light-source cylinder 52. The light sensitive electric cell i and'the light source 52 are put in operation. The player now operates the keys of the keyboard in a manner performed for a pianoselection, following the notes of the selected musical composition which he desires to play. As a key of the keyboard is depressed in accordance with a note of the musical composition, a corresponding shutter es (Fig, 13) is operated through cable ii. permitting the ray of light from light source 52h) pass through the opening 95 and penetrate the band 5'! of track 85 upon which the note .is recorded, impingingupon the light sensitive cell 61 which influences the sound emis- 12 sion means (loudspeaker and amplifier unit 48). The particular band 5'? thus brought into play has recorded thereon the note. corresponding to that represented by the piano-key just depressed.

It is to be noted that the plate or record remains stationary during the playing of a selection, and it is to be understood that where the word stationary appears in the claims as regards' this plate or record, it is to be interpreted as referringto the plate or record being stationary for a particular selection being played, The opaque rotatable cylinder which houses the light source and which is slitted to provide transparent openings, intermittently directs the light beam from the light source through the plate or record upon the light-sensitive cell.

In the event that the player desires to sustain some of the notes while continuing playing, he depresses pedal 490 which operates bar H12 (Fig. 22) as hereinbefore explained. If he desires to slow the action of a particular note, that is to cause the corresponding shutter to lag to allow the light source to act on the light sensitive cell through the sound track for a longer period of time, he depresses pedal 49a and continues playing. This will cause the sound of the note to diminish gradually.

The volume output of the amplifier-loudspeaker unit is controlled by the volume pedal 4%, as hereinbefore described.

It is to be particularly noted that in all of the above embodiments, the light sensitive cell is immediately adjacent the sound record or track.

It is to be understood that the shutter arrangement may be disposed between the light sensitive cell and the sound record, instead of between the sound record and the light source. (See Fig. 24.)

Furthermore, these arrangements permit the light source and its housing to be disposed close to the sound record; also, for the light source and its housing to be employed common for two light sensitive cells, sound records and shutters, By way of example, only. referring to Fig. 25, a similar arrangement of light sensitive cell I16, sound record I'H, shutter I15, may be disposed above light source and slotted housing I11, I18, thereby considerably shortening the space within which these devices are operable.

It will thus be seen that there has been provided by this invention apparatus in which the various objects hereinabove set forth, together with many thoroughly practical advantages, are successfully achieved.

As many possible embodiments may be made of the above invention, and as many changes might be made in the embodiments above set forth, it is to be understood that all matter hereinbefore' set forth or shown in the accompanying drawings is to be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

I claim:

1. In a sound reproducing apparatus a flat, stationary record comprising a sound track having a plurality of adjacently arranged sections each carrying a photographic record of a sound, a rotatable cylinder, at source of light within said cylinder, a light sensitive cell, said cylinder having at least one transparent slit providing means for intermittently directing light from source through said sections of said sound track and lip-- on said cell, and means for controlling passage of said light through said sections, said controlling. means comprising a plurality of shutters one for each of said sections and a plurality of respective keys for actuating said shutters selectively, and sound volume control means operable by said keys, and means for producing sound in accordance with variations in output of said cell.

2. In a sound reproducing apparatus a record comprising a sound track having a plurality of adjacently arranged sections each carrying a photographic record of a sound, a source of light, a light sensitive cell, means for directing light from said source through said sections of said sound track and upon said cell, means for controlling passage of said light through said sections, said controlling means comprising a plurality of shutters one for each of said sections and a plurality of respective keys for actuating said shutters selectively, and sound volume control means operable by said keys, said sound volume control means comprising an electric resistance device, a tensicned member engageable with said keys and connected with said device, and means for producing sound in accordance with variations in output of said cell.

3. In a sound reproducing apparatus a record comprising a sound track having a plurality of adjacently arranged sections each carrying a photographic record of a sound, a source of light, a light sensitive cell, means for directing light from said source through said sections of said sound track and upon said cell, means for controlling passage of said light through said sections, said controlling means comprising a plurality of shutters one for each of said sections and a plurality of respective keys for actuating said shutters selectively, sound Volume control means operable by said keys, said sound volume control means comprising an electric resistance device, a tensicned member engageable with said keys and connected with said device, and means for regulating the tension on said member, and means for producing sound in accordance with variations in output of said cell,

4. In a sound reproducing apparatus a record comprising a sound track having a plurality of adj acently arranged sections each carrying a photographic record of a sound, a source of li ht, a light sensitive cell, means for directing light from said source through said sections of said sound track and upon said cell, means for controlling passage of said light through said sections, said controlling means comprising a plurality of shutters one for each of said sections and a plurality of respective keys for actuating said shutters selectively, and sound volume control means operable by said keys and comprising an electric resistance device, a resilient element on each of said keys, a tensicned member engageable with said elements and connected with said device, and means for regulating the tension on said member, and means for producing sound in accordance with variations in output of said cell.

ANTONIO FUSCHI.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 671,875 Bailey Apr. 9, 1901 1,369,764 Ban Der Bijl Feb. 22, 1921 1,678,872 Potter July 31, 1928 1,848,222 Potter Mar. 8, 1932 1,967,238 Goldthwaithe July 24, 1934 1,990,024 EremeeiT Feb. 5, 1935 2,030,248 Eremeeff Feb. 11, 1936 2,031,764 Eremeeff Feb. 25, 1936 2,121,262 Riesmeyer June 21, 1938 2,150,834 Holst et al. Mar. 14, 1939 2,164,809 Fisher July 4, 1939 2,169,842 Kannenberg Aug. 15, 1939 2,209,971 Holst et al Aug. 6, 1940 2,228,643 Rudkin Jan. 14, 1941 2,273,863 Herzig Feb. 24, 1942 

